Top Retailers

Target lowers Q4 guidance as it uncovers additional data stolen during breach
MINNEAPOLIS — Customers' mailing addresses, names, phone numbers and email addresses were among the data stolen as part of a massive breach of payment card data at Target, the mass merchandise retailer said Friday.

Target said the information stolen, affecting as many as 70 million people, was not a new breach, but was uncovered as part of the investigation of the original breach, which took place between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15 and resulted in the theft of payment card data from about 40 million customers.
Lindt announces new premium chocolates
STRATHAM, N.H. — Lindt and Sprungli has introduced a bevy of new premium chocolate offerings, with flavor combinations ranging from sweet-and-salty to milk chocolate.

The new product offerings include Lindor Coconut truffles, Classic Recipe Caramel with Sea Salt bars, special additions to the Lindt Chocolate Specialties line, and the first-ever Lindt Brownie Mixes.

HYD For Men expands distribution with Meijer deal

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Men’s grooming line, HYD For Men, has announced that its Razor Shield will be sold in 183 Meijer stores beginning in February.

Razor Shield was developed to help create a liquid barrier to protect razor blades.
Auto replenishment potentially makes CVS/pharmacy's Family Vitamin Center a supplement gamechanger

With the launch of Family Vitamin Center, CVS/pharmacy created a new health hub on CVS.com to help educate customers on the vitamins and supplements that can support their personal health goals. The site is designed to declutter the dietary supplement aisle with features like an interactive questionnaire and guidance tools that provide personalized supplement recommendations.
Walgreens declares regular quarterly dividend of 31.5 cents per share, a 14.5% increase

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The board of directors of Walgreens on Thursday declared a regular quarterly dividend of 31.5 cents per share, a 14.5% increase over the year-ago dividend.

The dividend is payable March 12, 2014, to shareholders of record on Feb. 18, 2014.

Walgreens has paid a dividend in 325 straight quarters (more than 81 years) and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. Over the last five years, Walgreens annual dividend rate has increased from 45 cents per share to $1.26 per share, resulting in a compound annual growth rate of nearly 23%.
Share of sales from Shop Your Way members grows as Q4 2013 comps have fallen, Kmart parent company says

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart's same-store sales have taken a tumble this quarter as its parent company says it is continuing to focus on transforming itself into a retailer focused on members of its loyalty card program.
Creating generic powerhouses

A deal announced last month between CVS Caremark and Cardinal Health created a joint venture that the companies said would be the largest generic drug sourcing entity in the United States.

Each company will have a 50% stake in the joint venture, contributing its respective sourcing and supply chain expertise. The deal also included an extension of Cardinal Health’s existing pharmaceutical distribution agreement with CVS Caremark through June 2019.
Family Dollar elevates Jason Reiser to chief merchandising officer; president and COO Michael Bloom departs

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores on Thursday announced that it has promoted Jason Reiser to the position of EVP - chief merchandising officer. Reiser will report to Howard Levine, chairman and CEO.

The company also noted that president and COO Michael Bloom has left the company to pursue other interests. The company will conduct a search for a new president and COO.
Costco's sales, comps increase in December

ISSAQUAH, Wash. – Costco Wholesale Corp.'s sales increased by 6% in the month of December and the first few days of January compared with December 2012, the club retailer said Thursday.

The Issaquah, Wash.-based company reported sales of $11.53 billion during the five weeks that ended Sunday, compared with $10.87 billion during the same period last year. Comps increased by 5% at the company's U.S. stores.
Alternate sites woo payers

Administering high-touch, expensive and complex medications to patients intravenously in their homes — or in a setting other than a hospital — is essentially a large-scale bid to “reduce costs by transferring non-self-administered drugs to the most cost-effective and clinically appropriate site of care,” said pharmacist Michael Einodshofer, senior director of specialty strategy and innovation at Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy.